City council votes to postpone urban beach project

Proposed urban beach estimated to cost $1.4 million

Image | urban beach

Caption: Edmontonians will have to wait four more years before conversations resume about a proposed urban beach at Louise McKinney Park. (City of Edmonton)

City council voted Wednesday to postpone the proposed urban beach project slated for Louise McKinney Park for another four years.
The project was put on hold in favour of putting more money into LRT construction.
Last week, the proposed urban beach came close to being scrapped completely after a rough reception by the Community Services Committee.
Although Coun. Mike Nickel suggested cancelling the urban sandy space, Coun. Ben Henderson requested the decision be seen through to the official council vote this week.
Even now that the beach has been delayed, Coun. Bryan Anderson said he is still concerned the project would be too costly to maintain, should it go forward in the future.
“One of the things that concerns me about this is that I think it's going to have to have Cadillac maintenance. I don't think that you'll be able to deal with that amount of sand and use and abuse for $30,000 a year.”
The proposed urban beach is part of a larger plan to revitalize the river valley. The project, which would also see a restaurant and new washrooms being built in the park, is expected to cost $1.4 million.